Considerations on ethnological research in Timoc Valley (Bulgaria)

In the area between Vidin, Danube and Timoc, in northwest of Bulgaria, is an old Romanian community who, while a century, had no access to education in their native language. In these circumstances, it seems surprising that the population of Romanian origin in this space has kept the main markers of identity: language, customs and beliefs. Ethnological research conducted in this area seeks to introduce and update in the Romanian science, both for comparative analysis and as overview across state borders, ethnological elements that complete popular culture documents obtained in Romania by the research at the Romanian Ethnographic Atlas. Ethnological phenomenon does not stop at borders, but is recovered, and it should be studied, where there is a population of the same ethnic origin. Spiritual values are part of both the Romanian-Bulgarian cultural heritage and intangible heritage of Europe. Extension of research at Romanian Ethnographic Atlas at the Romanian historical communities around the borders will allow us to have an overview of the extent of the Romanian cultural values in the southeast European area.